Aid available for Missouri residents needing utility assistance
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
As inflation continues to hammer residents, some people may need a little help paying for their bills.
Cities across Missouri are increasing energy prices as high inflation rates continue to impact the area.
Natural gas rates changed for Ameren Missouri Customers on Nov. 1 to primarily reflect estimated changes in the wholesale cost of natural gas, according to Missouri Public Service Commission.
Prior to the increase Ameren residential customers paid $0.93 per hundred cubic feet of natural gas. Natural gas users are now paying 2 cents more, at $0.95 per hundred cubic feet.
Ameren has multiple utility assistance programs available for its customers. An energy assistance program can be viewed here. It also has other payment-assistance programs available here, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Ameren also includes an agency finder to help residents find other local help.
Central Missouri Community Action serves a lot of the Mid-Missouri area, including Boone, Cole, Callaway, Benton, Audrain, Cooper, Howard, Hickory, Moniteau, Morgan and Osage counties. It can be called at 573-615-8822.
North East Community Action Corporation offers rent and utility assistance for families and individuals living in Missouri as well.
NECAC spokesman Brent Engel said earlier this week that the corporation is seeing an increase in applications for rental and utility assistance programs from elderly and disabled people. The application for utility assistance will open to the rest of the public opened Thursday.
The Missouri Valley Community Action Agency offers assistance for Carroll, Chariton, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Ray and Saline counties. Applications and eligibility requirements can be found here. Its office is located in Marshall and can be called at 660-886-7476.
Missouri Ozarks Community Action provides assistance to those in the Lake of the Ozarks area. Its office is located in Richland and can be called at 573-765-3263.
